Snow removal is property owners' responsibility

Carson City's snow removal ordinance says commercial concerns or property owners in a business district failing “to remove all ice and snow from the sidewalk adjacent to such parcel of land within 48 hours after a snowfall shall by this chapter be guilty of maintaining a public nuisance.”

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After receiving complaints, city government issued a reminder Friday that commercial establishments and residents are supposed to clear snow from sidewalks after a storm.

City Manager Larry Werner focused on commercial snow clearing, saying it must be done within two days of a snowstorm or business owners may be cited for a misdemeanor offense. He pointed to Carson City’s maintenance ordinance but also provided a bit of cover for those who delayed after the recent snowfall.

“Since we haven’t had a lot of snow until lately, the property owners forget it’s their responsibility to clear the sidewalks,” he said.

The ordinance says commercial concerns or property owners in a business district failing “to remove all ice and snow from the sidewalk adjacent to such parcel of land within 48 hours after a snowfall shall by this chapter be guilty of maintaining a public nuisance.”

It also makes property parcel owners responsible for pertinent maintenance, which includes but isn’t limited to weed removal, sidewalk curb and gutter maintenance, tree care, lawn care and snow removal.

Non-commercial-property owners must remove snow from sidewalks as well, but there is no 48-hour time limit or associated misdemeanor fine, Werner said.

The city isn’t the only recipient of complaints. The Nevada Appeal heard from a reader seeking a story on the problem, noting that car dealers seem to be “the best about keeping their sidewalks cleared.”